Willie Obiano: Is Former Anambra Governor Dead? Prominent Ex-Senator Speaks

• In the last couple of hours, speculations swirl that Willie Obiano had passed on in London, United Kingdom (UK)
• Reacting, media entrepreneur Ben Murray-Bruce urged the public to disregard the rumours on the former Anambra governor’s purported demise
• Murray-Bruce, who initially published a tweet where he mourned Obiano, later deleted the post and retracted his statement

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Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.

FCT, Abuja - Ben Murray-Bruce, former Bayelsa East senator, has said erstwhile Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, is alive.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, Murray-Bruce said contrary to widespread rumours, especially on social media, suggesting that Obiano had passed away, the 70-year-old did not die in London, United Kingdom (UK).

Murray-Bruce, founder of Silverbird TV, dismissed the reports on Friday evening, November 14, stating that they are false.

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He wrote:

"Former Governor Willie Obiano is not dead!"

'Obiano hale and hearty' - Ex-commissioner

Meanwhile, former Anambra commissioner for information, Don Adinuba, said rumours alleging that Obiano died are "mischievous".

Adinuba said he had personally spoken with Obiano and confirmed that the former governor is not only alive but “hale and hearty” and residing in the United States, not the UK as claimed by an online report.

He noted that such unfounded claims were capable of causing unnecessary distress to the former governor’s family, associates, and the people of Anambra state.

Legit.ng reports that Obiano served as governor of Anambra state from 2014 to 2022. He succeeded Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.

The former governor is currently facing fraud charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Obiano: Nigerians blast fake news carriers

Nigerians on X slammed those spreading the fabricated news.

Legit.ng captured some comments below:

Senator Shehu Sani wrote:

"Mr Obiano will have the opportunity to read all the positive and negative comments that trailed the fake news about his demise. Not everyone in life will have this privilege of knowing what would be said about him when he or she departs. I can remember, in the early 90s, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe was many times victim of this kind of news."

@Official_emmyt commented:

"What fun do you derive by wishing someone who is alive death."

@Jaycoin050 wrote:

"Willie Obiano is not dead he's alive, stop spreading fake news you won't be happy of you're the one being circulated around. This @SaharaReporters always confirm your information before sending out. You nearly ruined my evening. Akpokuodike may you live long."

'I’m alive, healthy' – Willie Obiano

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Obiano said he is alive and healthy, contrary to earlier reports (not by Legit.ng) that he was dead.

Obiano published a statement on his verified Facebook page, saying "it is unfortunate that some individuals still find joy in spreading falsehood simply for reasons yet to be established."

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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.